There aren’t many tools as reliable and consistent as a Titan paint sprayer. It took years of research, production and development for Titan to become what it is today; a reliable name in the market: a trustworthy brand. Even after becoming 99.999% reliable, there is still a 0.001% chance of breaking down.
Doesn’t matter if you are a professional or a DIY master if there is an issue with your sprayer and you can’t put your finger on it. It is going to be a real pain in the neck, costing you time and money.
Let us break it down in 7 points for you to know, what possibly went wrong with your Titan paint sprayer. So, you can debug the bug and get back on track.
Let’s do it!
It’s Not Even Starting
What could be the most obvious indication of ‘something’s wrong’ with your sprayer? It won’t start up. Well if this is the case with your Titan paint sprayer, you will probably not get your work done anytime soon.
Despite this being the simplest indication, there is a wide range of problems which can cause it:
- It is either not plugged in or switched on. (80% of the time)
- A fuse blew in the circuit
- Low voltage power source
- Switch break-down
- Defective Extension cables
- Problems in the sprayer motor
Check each point one by one, all other possibilities will cancel out except the real cause. Now for a broken motor or a switch, you might need professional help or a right set of skills. However other problems are comparatively simpler and don’t need a professional to rescue.
It’s not priming
Another basic and a very irritating problem is that the sprayer won’t prime. Despite the frustration it causes, it is comparatively easy to figure out the reason behind the mess.
It is often a result of a buildup debris inside the sprayer which can contain dried paint, shingle, grass blades or anything small enough to get sucked in there. This blockage results in lesser or no paint. No matter how hard you try, it won’t work unless the mess is cleaned up.
How to Clean it up:
1) First, displace the retention spring from the bottom of the hose. Pull to take it out. Now, mostly the blockage is around the steel ball inside, but also make sure there isn’t any blockage down the hose.
2) To pull out the debris, use a sleek metallic tool like a flattop screwdriver or a plier.
3) Put the spring back on, make sure everything is in its place and switch the sprayer on.
As a precautionary measure, train your mechanics how to fix this issue, as it is the most common and recurring problem. But the solution is simple and easy.
However, one of the best practices is to slightly tap the fluid section with something like a hammer. If the debris is small, a slight hit will move it to the side.
Always remember to do this first, as it can save a lot of time since you wouldn’t have to dismantle your titan paint sprayer which can create a hustle if you aren’t done with your job.
If it doesn’t work after 10-15 taps, take out the retention spring, it’s time to clean it up from the inside. Always tap with very less PRESSURE, otherwise, it can damage the machine.
NOTE: Titan has introduced a Pusher Valve in recent models which help in releasing the ball without using a hammer
Low Pressure/Gun spitting Issue:
If even after cleaning up the debris, the low-pressure problem persists there might be a defected filter you are dealing with.
There are two filters in the Titan paint sprayer; gun filter and pump filter. The fault can be in any of the two, therefore it is recommended to inspect both.
Changing the Pump Filter:
Pump filter is placed under the machine on the outer side. (On model 440 of the Titan, it in black colour).
Detach the filter casing using a wrench to uncover the filter, screw clockwise to release it.
It can be cleaned and reused a few times. But, it is needed to be replaced eventually.
Once you are done, simply screw the filter in anti-clockwise.
Before putting the casing back on, check if the sprayer is working perfectly.
Once the casing is screwed well, get back to work.
Pro-tip: To avoid the part seizure, always remember to add some packing lube.
Changing the gun Filter:
Another filter casing can be found at the base of the spray handle. You need to repeat the same procedure as above to investigate this filter.
Uneven Spray Pattern or Paint dripping Issues.
Another issue which is irritating as well as damaging to your project is if the spray patterns aren’t even. The paint will be wasted, and the paint will look horrible.
Spray pattern issues can be caused by several different problems.
Mostly leading to the spray tip.
A damaged or jammed by dried paint spray tip often causes the inconsistent patterns and dripping.
One way to get rid of this is to clean up the spray tip itself. Different solvents are used to clean different kinds of paints.
Summing it up for you:
- a) Use water to clean latex paints
- b) Use mineral spirits to clean Oil-based paints
- c) Use lacquer thinner to liquify Lacquer-based paints
If the simple cleaning process doesn’t work, leave the nozzle in lacquer thinner for a few days. If still, it doesn’t work, the nozzle tip is needed to be replaced.
Simply by observing the nozzle shape, you can check if it is usable or not. It should be an oval shape, if it is a circle or any other shape, get rid of it.
Another indication is finding gaps in the centre and at the ends of the spray pattern which is also called ‘finger and tails’ pattern.
Dripping can also be caused by a dirty and faulty gun filter which can be easily administrated by a steady detach and clean strategy.
Receiving an electric shock while spraying
This issue is no child’s play. It is the most dangerous thing that can happen while using the machine and can lead to severe circumstances. Two major reasons that can cause electric shocks are:
1) The sprayer is not grounded
2) The metal object being sprayed is not grounded.
If this happens, make sure to check the extension cables as they have the highest chance of being faulty.
Also, take a look at the property’s circuit you are working on. Always be very careful when working on a metal object, make sure it is grounded.
Before spraying in-house, make sure all the electrical appliances are covered and switched off. Aware yourself with some proper grounding methods to avoid any damage.
No paint!
One of the worst problems is the sprayer won’t draw up paint. If your Titan paint sprayer is just throwing out air instead of paint, there might be leakage in the tubes. Even the smallest of the holes can affect the sprayer’s performance. If the issue is not addressed in time, it can cause serious damage and results can hazardous.
Remember that your Titan paint sprayer is a high-pressure device, a temporary repair will not stay in place any longer. Always replace the damaged part instead of repairing it.
Repairs needed from time to time
Titan gives a 2-4-year warranty for their machines and claims that their sprayers can manage 50-100 gallons of paint in a week. If your machine is not giving the right mileage and breaking sooner than it should, the issue is probably bigger than you think.
Although there are fewer chances of a manufactural defect, it is still a possibility. Titan offers a lifetime warranty on some parts. Always consult a manufacturer about your machine before getting it repaired from outside.
Prevention is better than cure: Keep your sprayer healthy
It is no doubt better to maintain your Titan paint sprayer in the best condition possible to avoid any repairs and faults.
Although this can be done in so many ways, we will try to cover the bases for you.
Cleaning
Every part of the machine that has been touched during use, needs to be clean thoroughly. We recommend water cleaning of the machine.
Follow the given steps
- Put your hose into a bucket full of clean water.
- Make sure the water is as clean as possible, to avoid any blockage
- Turn the pressure down and spray to get the extra paint out
- Turn on the clean settings once water starts coming out, turn over to a dirty bucket
- Keep a storage of clean water so you can keep running the clear water thoroughly
- Clean your prime tubes too
- When it is all clean, you will see clear water coming out of the machine
- Do not forget to thoroughly cleanse the machine regularly including the filters
Pro-tip: Before running water through your machine, add some anti-freeze in it. It is anti-corrosive. A maintenance like this should be practiced regularly.
Lubrication
Lubing the parts on a regular basis helps in getting rid of many unwanted issues.
Make sure to lube
- Valves
- Springs
- Handles
- Pistons
Lubrication helps in preventing the parts’ seizure. It will also prevent latex paint from drying on your Titan paint sprayer.
Pro-tip: Use water daily and a protective lubricant weekly to get your machine in perfect working condition and lubricated.
Handle with care
Do not throw or carelessly put your machine after getting a job done. Take out a few minutes to pack it and saving yourself from a repair fatigue. Your day to day interaction with the machine creates a huge difference in the longer run.
Spare Parts
Titan paint sprayer is a popular device, with an easy built, its spare parts are readily available. If aren’t available locally, you can always find them online at reasonable prices.
Get the Job Done
Do not ignore even the smallest issue with your Titan paint sprayer. A quick repair is better than ignoring the fault and ultimately having to replace the entire part or in worse cases the whole machine. Keep taking care of it to avoid any collateral damage. Although it is a highly reliable and consistent equipment, unfortunately, a time will come when you will have to upgrade your machine.
When you decide to do so, be sure to check our review of best sprayers on the market to make an informed decision. Feel free to contact us for any queries.
